scholarly journals Measuring Satisfaction and Comfort with Gender Identity and Gender Expression among Transgender Women: Development and Validation of the Psychological Gender Affirmation Scale

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3298
Author(s):  
Jae M. Sevelius ◽  
Deepalika Chakravarty ◽  
Samantha E. Dilworth ◽  
Greg Rebchook ◽  
Torsten B. Neilands
Keyword(s):  
Factor Analysis ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
High Reliability ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Gender Expression ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
Gender Affirmation ◽  
Psychological Gender ◽  
And Gender

Among transgender and gender diverse people, psychological gender affirmation is an internal sense of valuing oneself as a transgender or gender diverse person, being comfortable with one’s gender identity, and feeling satisfied with one’s body and gender expression. Gender affirmation can reduce gender dysphoria and mitigate deleterious health effects of marginalization. We sought to create an instrument to measure psychological gender affirmation among transgender women. Following initial item development using qualitative interviews, we used self-administered survey data from two distinct samples (N1 = 278; N2 = 368) of transgender women living with HIV in the USA. We used data from Study 1 to perform exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and data from Study 2 to perform confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), yielding the five-item single-factor Psychological Gender Affirmation (PGA) scale with high reliability (α = 0.88). This scale is psychometrically sound as demonstrated by its convergent and discriminant validity via correlations with select measures and by its predictive validity through associations in hypothesized directions with measures of mental health and substance use. The PGA scale will aid research on psychological gender affirmation that can in turn inform interventions as well as gender-affirming clinical and social practices to promote the health and well-being of transgender and gender diverse people.

An adolescent requesting to pause puberty

2021 ◽  
pp. 203-212
Author(s):  
Cordelia Y. Ross ◽  
Alex S. Keuroghlian
Keyword(s):  
Gender Identity ◽  
Hormone Therapy ◽  
Gender Dysphoria ◽  
Social Stigma ◽  
Developmental History ◽  
Psychiatric Assessment ◽  
Gender Expression ◽  
Gender Affirmation ◽  
History Of ◽  
And Gender

Gender dysphoria occurs when a patient has distress associated with incongruence between a person’s experienced gender and the gender traditionally associated with their sex assigned at birth. This must occur for at least six months. The psychiatric assessment of a patient with gender dysphoria should include exploration of the child’s developmental history of gender-expansive identification and expression; sources of distress relating to familial, community, and social stigma; and ways to help families adopt an accepting and nurturing response. Gender affirmation can include psychological, social, legal, and biological interventions. The goal of psychotherapy is to help a person explore, discover, and affirm their gender identity. Social affirmation may include changing names, pronouns, and gender expression. Legal gender affirmation may take place through a name or gender marker change on official documents. Biological affirmation may include pubertal suppression for younger adolescents, gender-affirming hormone therapy, and/or gender-affirming surgery.

scholarly journals Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Gender Expression-Based Violence in Catalan Universities: Qualitative Findings from University Students and Staff

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Maria Gallardo Nieto ◽  
Aitor Gómez González ◽  
Regina Gairal-Casadó ◽  
Maria del Mar Ramis Salas
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Gender Expression ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Gender

Abstract BackgroundHate crimes have raised in Spain and the gender and sexuality-based conflict persist worldwide which leads to this problem having an effect on health and wellbeing. Following a focus of transforming Higher Education Institutions (HEI), this research focusses on analysing how this problem affects undergraduate students in six Spanish universities. The goal of this study is to improve the quality of life of LGBTQI+ University students, breaking the silence that exists about the violence that this group suffer in Catalonia, Spain.MethodsFollowing the Communicative Methodology, this study has identified violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity or expression in the target universities and provided guidelines to improve anti-discrimination protocols. A qualitative method has reached experiences of university students, heads of equality commissions, professors and administrative staff regarding this conflict. Focussing on the qualitative research tools, 30 half-structured interviews were conducted with university students, staff and professors around issues related to LGBTQI-phobic violence: 1) perception of violence and discrimination, 2) institutional measures, 3) actions against violence. An analysis of exclusionary and transformative dimensions was used to identify emergent themes. ResultsWe have identified two dimensions for the analysis: exclusionary -those that maintain the problem-, and transformative, -those that contribute to transform the problem of LGBTQI-phobia-. On the one hand, exclusionary facts have been described by participants in the study as a wide range of forms of violence against the LGBTQI+ community perpetrated at university, mainly verbal and psychological. Moreover, equality commissions have not received reports of LGBTQI-phobic violence, and university staff and professors show certain unfamiliarity regarding measures and politics to prevent and intervene in cases of violence on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression. On the other hand, in the study of variables that contribute to overcoming this conflict, actions of LGBTQI groups against violence and the professors’ commitment to intervene show relevant changes in student’s wellbeing. An improvement and implementation of anti-discrimination protocols with mandatory measures has also been documented.ConclusionsFindings highlight the need for evidence that contributes to the improvement of protocols, measures and politics to protect the LGBTQI community at university. A better understanding of violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in HEI’s may guide national and international governments to improve the LGBTQI collectives’ health and well-being. This study provides relevant information regarding this pressing challenge and presents an important impact achieved contributing to the improvement of the quality of life of the LGBTQI+ community.Trial registrationNot applicable

scholarly journals Sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression-based violence in Catalan universities: qualitative findings from university students and staff

2021 ◽  
Vol 79 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena María Gallardo-Nieto ◽  
Aitor Gómez ◽  
Regina Gairal-Casadó ◽  
María del Mar Ramis-Salas
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Orientation ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Gender Expression ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
And Gender

Abstract Background Hate crimes have raised in Spain and the gender and sexuality-based conflicts persist worldwide which leads to this problem having an effect on health and wellbeing. Following a focus of transforming Higher Education Institutions, this research analysed the problem that affects undergraduate students in six Spanish universities. The research goal is to improve the life quality of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex university students, breaking the silence that exists around the violence that this group suffer in Catalonia, Spain. Methods Following the Communicative Methodology, this study has identified violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression in the target universities and provided guidelines to improve anti-discrimination protocols. A qualitative method has reached experiences of university students, heads of equality commissions, professors and administrative staff regarding this conflict. Focussing on the qualitative research tools, 30 semi-structured interviews were conducted with university students and staff around issues related to the violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual transgender, queer and intersex students: 1) perception of violence and discrimination, 2) institutional measures, 3) actions against violence. An analysis of exclusionary and transformative dimensions was used to identify emergent themes. Results We have identified two dimensions for the analysis given their impact in contributing or overcoming violence: exclusionary and transformative. A wide range of forms of violence on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression perpetrated at universities have been identified as exclusionary facts and described by participants in the study. Equality commissions have not received reports of violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, and university staff shows certain unfamiliarity regarding the measures and politics to prevent and intervene in cases of violence against the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex community. Among the results identified as transformative are the ways through which actions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex groups against violence and the professors’ commitment to intervene have a relevant impact on student’s wellbeing. An improvement and implementation of anti-discrimination protocols with mandatory applicability has also been documented. Conclusions Findings highlight the need of collecting more evidence that contributes to the improvement of protocols, measures and politics to protect all the members of the university community. A better understanding of violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression in HEI’s may guide national and international governments to improve the health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex persons.

Analysis of the effects of legal sex markers in detention: Single-sex detention facilities, conversion therapy, and violations of human rights

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cianán Russell
Keyword(s):  
Gender Identity ◽  
Analytical Framework ◽  
Conversion Therapy ◽  
Treatment Practice ◽  
Gender Expression ◽  
Single Sex ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
The World ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Detention Facilities

<p>Conversion therapies have been classified as inhuman treatment or torture on several instances, including by the UN Special rapporteur on torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, and are explicitly prohibited by several professional bodies around the world such as the World Medical Association and the World Professional Association for Transgender Health. They have been defined as “any treatment, practice or sustained effort that aims to change, repress and, or eliminate a person’s sexual orientation, gender identity and, or gender expression” (Malta, 2016).</p><p>However, based on its functional definition, the concept of “conversion therapy” can be successfully used as a broader analytical framework to describe carceral practices that regulate gender identity and expression and, in particular, those implemented by sex-segregated detention facilities.</p><p>This paper argues that, coupled with often restrictive and sometimes impossible means for accessing legal gender recognition to change one’s identity documents, single-sex detention acts as a form of conversion therapy for trans and gender diverse people at least in two ways by coercing detainees into adopting gender expression modes that do not align with their gender identity. In that sense, it can be said that sex-segregated detention acts to change the gender identity or expression of gender diverse detainees and, therefore, can amount to inhuman treatment or torture.</p>

scholarly journals Descriptive Study of Transgender Youth Receiving Health Care in the Gender Identity Program in Southern Brazil

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bianca Machado Borba Soll ◽  
Anna Martha Fontanari ◽  
Angelo Brandelli Costa ◽  
Ítala Chinazzo ◽  
Dhiordan Cardoso Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Gender Identity ◽  
Gender Dysphoria ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Health Care Service ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Southern Brazil ◽  
Transgender Youth ◽  
Gender Affirmation ◽  
And Gender

Since 2014, the Gender Identity Program (PROTIG) of Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA) has been assisting transgender youth seeking gender-affirmative treatment offered at a public health-care service specializing in gender in southern Brazil. This article aims to analyze sociodemographic and clinical data regarding the diagnoses of gender dysphoria and gender incongruence, psychiatric comorbidities, and clinical aspects of a sample of transgender youths seeking health care in the gender identity program. The research protocol consisted of a survey of the data collected in the global psychological evaluation performed at the health-care service for youths diagnosed with gender incongruence and their caretakers. Participating in this research were 24 transgender youths between 8 and 16 years old with diagnostic overlap of gender dysphoria [Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)] and gender incongruence [International Classification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11)] and 34 of their caregivers. Of the young people, 45.8% were positive for some psychiatric comorbidity throughout their lives, with almost half (45.4%) having two or more psychiatric comorbidities in addition to gender dysphoria. The mental health professionals comprising affirmation care teams face the challenge of adapting the care protocols to the uniqueness of each demand by developing individualized forms to promote healthy development. This can be done by focusing not only on medical and physical interventions for gender affirmation but also on the promotion of mental health and general emotional well-being. Thus, the gender affirmation model, which advocates for global assessment and personalized guidance, proved to be adequate. Nevertheless, access to multidisciplinary health services specializing in gender is essential for promoting the general well-being of the population of transgender youth.

Transgender and Gender Diverse Community Connection, Help-Seeking, and Mental Health Among Black Transgender Women Who Have Survived Violence: A Mixed-Methods Analysis

2021 ◽  
pp. 107780122110138
Author(s):  
Athena D. F. Sherman ◽  
Sarah Allgood ◽  
Kamila A. Alexander ◽  
Meredith Klepper ◽  
Monique S. Balthazar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Longitudinal Research ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Transgender Women ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
Diverse Community ◽  
And Gender

Black transgender women are disproportionately affected by violence and poor care-delivery, contributing to poor mental health. Little is known regarding the effect of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) community connection (TCC) on health. This analysis (a) explores relationships between TCC, polyvictimization, and mental health and (b) analyzes how TCC influenced help-seeking following violent experiences among Black transgender women. Mixed-methods data from 19 Black transgender women were analyzed using correlational and thematic content analyses. Findings suggest that TCC is associated with improved help-seeking and mental health among Black transgender women, highlighting a need for longitudinal research to identify approaches for leveraging TCC.

“Bridging the Gap”: School Nurse Experiences Providing Care for Transgender and Gender Diverse Students and Their Parents/Guardians

2021 ◽  
pp. 105984052110254
Author(s):  
Tammy Neiman ◽  
Laurie Sieve ◽  
Louise Stenberg ◽  
Nicole Molesky ◽  
G. Nic Rider
Keyword(s):  
School Nurses ◽  
Parental Acceptance ◽  
Institutional Barriers ◽  
Gender Diverse ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Gender Affirmation ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Interpersonal Collaboration ◽  
And Training

School systems are often not set up to support transgender and gender diverse (TGD) students, which results in unsafe and unsupportive environments and other institutional barriers to helping TGD students thrive. An important factor to students' feeling safe and supported in schools may be their relationship with school nurses. The purpose of this study was to describe school nurses' experiences working with TGD students and their parents/guardians, their role in working with this community, and the challenges nurses face when trying to serve TGD students. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 23 school nurses across a Midwestern state. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes: gender-affirming education and interpersonal collaboration, bridging the gap between TGD youth and parents/guardians, gender-affirming care and confidentiality, and navigating parental acceptance and gender-affirmation. School nurses expressed a strong desire to support TGD students but lack the structure and training within schools.

Interactive Influences of Gender Identity and Gender Typing on Early Adolescents’ Well-Being

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meenakshi Menon ◽  
Kirsten Schellhorn ◽  
Catherine A. Lowe
Keyword(s):  
Gender Identity ◽  
Early Adolescents ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Gender Typing ◽  
And Gender
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